Surprise, surprise! The House of Representatives just voted 248-175 for an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill which reaffirms the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Yes, talk about a waste of tax payer dollars. John Boehner and his merry band of bigoted Republicans pushed an independent agenda of hate and attached it to the Defense Appropriations bill, sponsored by the fun-loving Virginia Foxx (R-NC). Fortunately, this story actually has an optimistic ending because of Senator Leahy (I-VT).
Leahy just announced that he intends to start the debate in the Senate to repeal DOMA. What a lovely contrast. A true leader like Leahy working for civil rights against the backdrop of a group of homophobic bigots–the House Republicans who have become the collective George Wallace on the wrong side of history. The hearing for bill S.598 is called, “The Respect for Marriage Act: Assessing the Impact of DOMA on American Families.” The title of the bill alone brings tears to my eyes. Leahy will forever be known as a champion for the civil rights of LGBT Americans. Of course, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand(D-NY), already much celebrated on TSM, is a co-sponsor of the bill. Click here to read the full article.